Joseph Pope Balch (August 9, 1822 – December 2, 1872) was an American businessman from Rhode Island who served as an officer in the Union Army during the early months of the American Civil War.
Balch was an educated man, but decided upon a career in business instead of attending college, first working in his father's drug store at the age of 14 as a clerk, and eventually becoming a partner.
In 1841 he joined a militia unit known as the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, by 1857 Balch had risen to command of Rhode Island's Second Militia brigade.
Civil waredit
At the outbreak of the war, he was appointed to the rank of major in the First Rhode Island Detached Militia, a "90-day" regiment on May 2, 1861.[1] Balch succeeded to command of the regiment when its previous commander, Colonel Ambrose Burnside was promoted to brigadier general and given command of a brigade. Balch commanded the 1st Rhode Island at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.
Balch was mustered out of the volunteers along with the regiment on August 2, 1861.[1] Balch returned to the Rhode Island Militia and commanded the Second Militia Brigade until the close of the war.
Balch was recognized for "coolness, steadiness, and courage under fire" when his appointment by brevet (an honorary promotion) to the grade of brevetbrigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 25, 1868.[2]
Postbellum careeredit
Balch (seated) and officers of the 1st Rhode Island at Camp Sprague, Rhode Island, 1861.
After the war, Balch was a prominent member of Rhode Island society, and had six daughters and a son. He held membership in civic organizations including the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, and the Providence Franklin society. He died suddenly in his home from an internal hemorrhage in 1872.
Adjutant General's Report of the Rhode Island Militia, 1862
"Joseph Pope Balch". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
December 15, 2023
joseph, pope, balch, august, 1822, december, 1872, american, businessman, from, rhode, island, served, officer, union, army, during, early, months, american, civil, 1861, photograph, born, 1822, august, 1822providence, rhode, islanddieddecember, 1872, 1872, ag. Joseph Pope Balch August 9 1822 December 2 1872 was an American businessman from Rhode Island who served as an officer in the Union Army during the early months of the American Civil War Joseph Pope Balch1861 photograph of Joseph Pope BalchBorn 1822 08 09 August 9 1822Providence Rhode IslandDiedDecember 2 1872 1872 12 02 aged 50 Providence Rhode IslandPlace of burialSwan Point CemeteryAllegiance United States of AmericaUnionService wbr branch United States ArmyUnion ArmyRhode Island MilitiaYears of service1861 1865RankMajor Brevet Brigadier GeneralCommands heldFirst Rhode Island Detached Militia2nd Brigade Rhode Island MilitiaBattles warsAmerican Civil War First Battle of Bull RunOther workMerchant Contents 1 Early life and background 2 Civil war 3 Postbellum career 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksEarly life and background editBalch was an educated man but decided upon a career in business instead of attending college first working in his father s drug store at the age of 14 as a clerk and eventually becoming a partner In 1841 he joined a militia unit known as the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery by 1857 Balch had risen to command of Rhode Island s Second Militia brigade Civil war editAt the outbreak of the war he was appointed to the rank of major in the First Rhode Island Detached Militia a 90 day regiment on May 2 1861 1 Balch succeeded to command of the regiment when its previous commander Colonel Ambrose Burnside was promoted to brigadier general and given command of a brigade Balch commanded the 1st Rhode Island at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21 1861 Balch was mustered out of the volunteers along with the regiment on August 2 1861 1 Balch returned to the Rhode Island Militia and commanded the Second Militia Brigade until the close of the war Balch was recognized for coolness steadiness and courage under fire when his appointment by brevet an honorary promotion to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers to rank from March 13 1865 was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 25 1868 2 Postbellum career edit nbsp Balch seated and officers of the 1st Rhode Island at Camp Sprague Rhode Island 1861 After the war Balch was a prominent member of Rhode Island society and had six daughters and a son He held membership in civic organizations including the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry and the Providence Franklin society He died suddenly in his home from an internal hemorrhage in 1872 He is buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence 3 See also edit nbsp American Civil War portal nbsp Biography portalList of American Civil War brevet generals Union Notes edit a b Eicher John H and David J Eicher Civil War High Commands Stanford Stanford University Press 2001 ISBN 978 0 8047 3641 1 p 114 Eicher 2001 p 739 Notable Persons Interred at Swan Point Cemetery Swan Point Cemetery Swan Point Cemetery Retrieved 23 January 2016 References editBalch Galusha Burchard Genealogy of the Balch Families in America Salem Massachusetts E Putnam 1897 Eicher John H and David J Eicher Civil War High Commands Stanford Stanford University Press 2001 ISBN 978 0 8047 3641 1 External links editAdjutant General s Report of the Rhode Island Militia 1862 Joseph Pope Balch Find a Grave Retrieved 2008 03 20 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joseph Pope Balch amp oldid 1151326413, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
